South-West Nigeria, comprising Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti States, continues to attract significant investment in the hospitality sector.
According to industry data, Nigeria ranks among the top countries in Africa for hotel development, with 48 new projects and over 7,300 rooms slated for completion in 2025.
Despite the growing supply, inflationary pressures remain a key consideration for both investors and consumers.
Lagos State recorded a headline inflation rate of 14.7% year-on-year in August 2025, the lowest in the region, while Ekiti hit 28.2%, Oyo 26.6%, Ogun 24.3%, and Osun 22.1%, according to recent reports from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Nigerian Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS).
Within this economic context, certain hotels in the South-West stand out for their strong performance. These properties are distinguished by guest ratings, room capacity, cost per night, and strategic proximity to key commercial, cultural, and tourism landmarks. The combination of these factors has positioned some hotels as preferred choices for both leisure and business travelers, driving occupancy and brand visibility.
Let’s take a closer look at the owners behind the region’s most popular hotels and explore how their investments, strategy, and operational excellence have shaped the South-West’s hospitality landscape.
- Owner: Otunba Gbenga Daniel
- Location – Abeokuta, Ogun
- Hotel rating- 4-star
Otunba Gbenga Daniel, one of Nigeria’s foremost politicians and entrepreneurs, is the owner of Conference Hotel & Suites, a 5-star luxury hotel located in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The hotel was commissioned in 2019 by Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, following its closure for several years under the administration of former Governor Ibikunle Amosun.
Conference Hotel & Suites offers a range of well-appointed rooms and suites, world-class dining, a fitness centre, and modern conference facilities. Room rates start at N120,000 per night for a Deluxe Room and go up to N460,000 per night for the Presidential Suite.
Otunba Gbenga Daniel attended Baptist Boys’ High School, Abeokuta, before earning a degree in Engineering from the University of Lagos. He began his professional career in the private sector before founding Kresta Laurel Limited in 1990, an electro-mechanical engineering company specializing in elevators, cranes, and industrial systems.
Daniel served as Governor of Ogun State from 2003 to 2011, during which he implemented Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives that attracted investments to the state. He is currently the Senator representing Ogun East, a position he assumed in 2023. His ownership of the Conference Hotels chain, which includes branches in Ijebu-Ode, Sagamu, Abeokuta, and Isheri in Lagos.
